Planograph co



A. THOMA.

SHOE BUTIOM FILLING MACHINE(l APPLICATION FILED JUNE 1|. |913.

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Patented July 22, 1919.

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THB coLunBlA PLANOURAPH m., WASHINU'NN. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW THOMA, OF CAMBRIDGE. MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO NORTH .AMERICAN CHEMICAL COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

SHOE-BOTTOM-FILLIN G MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 22, 1919.

Application led June 11, 1913. Serial No. 772,979.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW 'FI-IOMA, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Shoe-Bottom-Filling Machines, of which the following description, in connection with 'the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

My present invention is an improvement on the class of machines disclosed in the Arnold Patent No. 808,227 of December 26, 1905, and my Patent No. 957,393 of May 10, 1910, in which a normally semi-solid or self-contained loaf or fragment of filler is subjected to a slow melting heat and then placed in the shoe-bottom cavity and condensed or unified therein by a super-heat under pressure. This invention is limited to shoe manufacture.

The kind of filler in question (for instance, that considered in my Patents Nos. 808,224, 832,002, and 861,555) is very slow to melt, inasmuch as the composition is heat-resistant, and the loaf or package is so dense that the outside portion thereof insulates the inside against the penetration thereof by the heat. On the other hand, modern shoe-factory practice requires high speed on the part of the operators. A further diiieulty is found in the fact that this filler cannot be subjected to an eXtreme heat, lest, while the interior of the mass is being melted, the exterior Will char or burin-so that a relatively low heat is necessary for the proper melting of the filler. Accordingly my present invention aims to provide an apparatus especially adapted to take care of these two requisites, viz. quickness of supply for the operator and natural slowness of preparedness on the part of the material. In the preferred embodiment of my invention as herein shown, I have illustrated my invention in connection with electric heating means.

The first feature of my invention to which I especially direct attention is the provision of means for affording tivo entirely independent degrees of heat, or at least two heating media capable of variable and independent regulation, thereby rendering it possible to have a heat of large volume but low intensity for melting the filler mass and keeping the same in proper melted condition Without danger of burning or injuring the filler and yet with an assurance that the filler will be melted as quickly and thoroughly as its nature permits. At the same time a more intense heat is provided for the super-heatin tool and for maintaining the applying kmves or spatulas at the desired relatively high heat. The second feature of my invention meriting special remark is the provision of means fol' utilizing the radiant heat, (which would otherwise he wasted) for the preliminary softening of the filler and at the same time keeping the external apparatus relatively cool so as not to interfere with the operator. This double object is secured by inclosing the first-mentioned larger heating medium in an auxiliary casing or receptacle for the preliminary softening of the filler, so shaped and located that the natural position of the filler therein serves to bar the exit of the heat, or in other Words prevents the radiation of the heat from lthe receptacle and thereby maintains the latter much cooler than Would otherwise be the case, and hence is more pleasant to the operator by eliminating this serious objection to the former types of apparatus. Further features of my invention relate to the convenience and facility of use and strength and simplicity of construction. Details of all thesevarious features will be pointed out in connection with the accompan Ting drawings, in which I have shown a pre erred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is an enlarged vertical crossseetional view of the apparatus, partly broken away for clearness;

Fig. 2 is a view thereof in side elevation, looking at the right hand side, parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus; and

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

As herein shown, the apparatus is rectangular in its general construction, and is intended to have the operator stand at one end, the apparatus being supported on four legs 1 secured at -their upper ends in aheavy top or frame casting 2 which directly supports the upper section 3 and indirectly the lower section 4. The upper section comprises a tank or pot Whose forward end 5 contains the fully melted filler in convenient position to be dipped ont by the operator by means of a knife or spatula, such for instance as shown in the aforesaid Patent No. 3%,227 or in my later Patent No. 957,393, to be deposited in the shoe-bottom. This pot corresponds most nearly to the dip-pot 10 of said Patent No. 808,227. The rear portion G of said tank constitutes a supply chamber. Here the softened or partially melted filler loaves are deposited by theoperator in the presence of the confined heat beneath the cover 7 until needed for use. The operator then raises the cover 7 on its hinge 8 and pokes forward intothe end 5 a portion of the filler from the end G, Which filler has now become thoroughly softened. The forward end of the cover 7 extends downwardly as shown at 9 to constitute a movable partition for holding the front portion of the filler in a proper collected body in the part 5 for the convenience 'of the operator and at the same time confining all the heat possible within the end 6 for the more rapid melting and disintegrating of the filler loaf which has been piaeed therein. The tank which contains the portions 5 and 6 is heat jacketed, having for this purpose an outside Wall 10 and bottom 11 forming a heater pocket With an opening 12 at one side for the ready insertion and removal of a heating plate A13 of suitable eiectric resistance `Wire embedded in enamel in Well known manner. For the convenient removal of this plate 13 and also to limit its insertion, it is provided at its outer edge with a downturned handle 14 which strikes against the bottom 11 when the piate is in' position. The bottom 11 of the upper section 3 or tank portions 5, 6 is shown as provided with a serles of perforations 15 through which the surplus heat ypasses, and) which afl'so serve the purpose of promoting heat circulation and therefore increasing thel free radiation of heat from the pilate 13. This heat, and also the heat `Which radiates fromfthe bottom 11, maintains a moderate heat in the lower chamber or section 4. This section is capable of receiving preferably several loaves of filler laid on its bottom and accessible to the operator through a vlringed "side or door 16 secured to the upper1 tankby hinges 17 and provided with' a latch 18 at its lower end when the ldvver's'ection 4 is to be closed. The legs'l of the apparatus Lare secured rigidly at the four cornersof the tank or section 4 as indicated atQ. thereby increasing. the stability of the apparatus. The resistance heater 13 is operated externally by a switch 20 located conveniently for the operator at the front end of the'section 3`and preferably of a three-switch construction so as to afford a current-off position, medium heat, and maximum heat.

Vthe desled Waterproon Mounted conveniently for the operator, herein shown at the left hand side of the frame 2, is an upright 21 and a horizontal tubular arm 22 at Whose right hand end is a roll 23, adjacent which is a knife block 24 (corresponding in a general iway to the roll 13 and knife block 23 of said Patent No. 808,227), and these are. heated by a resistance coil inserted in the horizontal tubular support 22 and regulated by a switch 25. By having the unifying and spreading superheater 23 in the form of an overhanging o'r freely projecting tool rigidly related to the pol, and with a predetermined heat relative thereto, it greatly facilitates the speed, ease, and thoroughness of the work.

In use, the operator keeps several fresh loaves of filler in the lower section 4 or preliminary-softening oven and a supply of melting filler in the end 6 of the upper tank, while he uses the melted filler from the end portion or dip pot 5. The operator stands at the end of the machine adjacent the switch 20, and by means of the latter regulates the heat in the parts 3 and 4 to that degree of intensity which the filler Will stand Without danger. He turns on more heat, however, at the switch 25 for the roll 23 and knife block 24 than would be practicable to use in the rest ofthe apparatus. As he dips up the filler from the tank 5 and deposits the desired amount in the shoe-bottom with the Yspatula as explained in the prior patents above mentioned, he quickly moves the filled shoe beneath the roll 23 and thereby spreads and uniiies the filler properly in the shoebottom under the super-heating inuence and pressure of the roll. As this superheating effect is momentary only, there is no danger of injuring the filler, and yet the cementtious binder ortion of the cork filler is momentarily me ted over the surface of the filled bottom to just that degree necessary for properly filling the corners and giving effect to the inseam of he innersole. aving used most of the melted filler from the dip pot 5 portion of the tank, the operator quickly lifts up the cover 7 and now finds that the loaf contained in the'subjacent part 6 is fully disintegrated andready for use in the part 5. He pulls forward some or all of said loaf by the aid of his knife or spatula and then opens the door 16 of the part 4 and takes one of the softened loaves from said part or section 4 and places it in the part 6, replacing it in the oven 4 by an entirely fresh loaf. As the melting part B is subjected continuously to a relatively high heat, the softened loaf is quickly disintegrated and is sure to be ready for the operator as soon as he has used u the llercontained in the dip portion 5 o the tank.

The advantages of my invention will be obvious from the foregoing description.

A ra

Notwithstanding the fact that the loaf cannot be heated repeatedly or quickly or highly lest it be burned, and cannot be penetrated rapidly even b Ja strong'heat, my apparatus makes it feasi le to use this kind of filler with extreme rapidity. The cold solid loaf is placed in the preliminary-softening chamber l and subjected to a mild but continuous heat for a relatively long period of time, and this heat gradually penetrates farther and farther into the mass `until the loaf is `moderately softened throughout.` By this time the melting chamber 6 has been emptied as the operator raidlyiills shoes therefrom, and the softene loafis nowV transferred to the latter, in whose-confined rear inclosure the loaf is subjected to the highest degree of heat that it can stand. As, however, it is already in a soft condition and therefore more accessible to the heat, the vlatter crumbles it and meltsit rapidly, so that it is fully melted and ready for the forward end 5 of the tank as soon as the latter is ready to receive it. All this is accomplished by thev same relatively loW-heat radiating medium 13. The preliminary softening is accomplished by that portion of the heat which `would rotherwise be Wasted, and 'the apparatus-is so constructed and arranged that this preliminary heating is accompanied by the further advantage of serving as a means for maintaining the apparatus comparatively cool externally (as compared With the hot pots of the Arnold machine). Notwithstanding the low heat at which the apparatus may be run, the separately heated roll 23 makes it possible to carry out the requirements of shoebottom filling with that despatch which is demanded by modern high-speed practice.y It is this necessity for despatch, and the exacting peculiarities of the filler and the fact that this work is usually done by boys, which,together, make the `roblem difficult. The superheating of Ythejfilliir so as to accomplislrthe; waterproofing effects to the best advantage is taken' 'care of in my present machine even better than in theArnoldmachine, by combining three features .of advantage, namel the provision .of a controlled high heat or the superheater or unifyin and spreading'member 23, having this too project freely so that the operator can manipulate the shoe with great freedom of movement of his arms (the right hand usually grasping the toe and the left hand grasping the cone of the last) and providing a contiguous heating means for the filler in such position, relation and construction that the filler is brought to exactly the right condition, and there maintained 1n instant readiness to be deposited in the shoe bottom. The relation of the parts contributes to (1) rapidity of shoe filling, (2) absence of fatigue of the operator, due to the position, construction and heat control of the block or roll 23 said receptacle and said s and its rigid mounting close to the pot, so that boys can do the work; (3) condensing of the filler in the shoe bottom (due to the fact that the filler is in exactly the right condition when deposited from the pot into the shoe and the further fact that the parts of the machine are so related that the shoe then receives the heat pressure instantly); (4) insuring a su erior sticking of the filler by reason of t e s ecial penetrating quality which the filler as when hot, but does not have when it begins to stiften; (5) the spreading of the filler body laterally to occupy the crevices of the inseam, largely due to the facility for instantly applying the shoe to the rigid heat block and with the right direction of pressure before the filler has chilled against the cold, wet leather; (6) the waterproofing resulting from the to surface spreading of the binder, which cou d not be as eiliciently effected but for this special combination and relation of parts and heat control; (7) heat economy and heat uniformity, which are due to the juxtaposition of the pressure block or roll, pot, and knife-heater, and the separate controls 20 25 and heat inclosing jacket or wall 10, and (8), the superheatin effect, which is due to the suddenness of t e iiuidifying of the binder at the critical moment (under the right heat, correct direction of pressure, and facilitated back and forth quick movement), to the fact that the mass temperature of the block or roll may always be maintained higher than the filler, and the close relation of the roll (on its rigid mounting) to the pot or tank 5.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A shoe-bottom lling machine, com rising a heated filler receptacle for shoe ller, a heated unifying and s reading member in close, fixed and rigid re ation to said receptacle for the quick filling of a shoe with the hot filler and the immediate su erheating, unifying and spreading of said iipller by the heated member, separate heating means for reading member, and regulating devices or independently varying the heat in said receptacle and said spreadin member. Y 2. A s oe-bottom filling machine, comprising a heated filler receptacle for shoe liller,-a heated unifying and spreading member in close, fixed and rigid relation to said receptacle forthe quick lillin of a shoe with the ot filler and the imme iate superheating, unifying and spreading of said filler by the heated member, a removable electric heater for said receptacle, a stationary re lating switch for varying the heating eligeldt of said heater, an electric heater for said fixed spreading member, and a separate regulating switch for said last mentioned heater.

3. A shoe-bottom filling machine, coinprising two superposed wholly separated sections, one containing adelivery tank for themelted shoe filler and the other containingl a preliminary-softeningl chamber, and a heater common to said two sections yarr-aI-iged to maintain a low heat `in the softening chamber and a relatively Ihigh heat inthe tank.

4. A shoe-bottom 'illing machine, comprising two superposed sections, one oontaining a delivery tank for the melted shoe filler and the other containing a reliminary-softening chamber, and an adjustable heater located between and separatingsaid two sections and maintaining difierentdegrecs of heat in the two sections.

5. A shoe-bottom filling machine, 'comprising a delivery tank having an inclosng hot-air jacket for holding the shoe iiller, and an electric heater in the bottom portionof said jacket, and a preliminaryesoftening chamber below said tank and embracin the bottom thereof for receiving the r iant heat from thelatter, Wherebya lowfheat is maintained in the chamber and aihigh heat n the jacket and meansifor regulating said eat.

6. A shoe-bottom filling machine, havinfga depending melting tank forl holding the shoe filler, a heat jacket' partially surroundingthe depending portion of saidtank for maintalning a relatively high heat therein, Said jacket having a heater pocket in its lower portion beneath said tank, a removable heater for said pocket, and an inclosure, contiguous to said heater pocket forming a preliminary softening section for receiving fresh batches of Eller to be softened, said heater pocket having its inside provided with perorations for the surplus'heatffrom said jacket to pass directly into sa-idV prelii'ni# nary softening section.

7. A shoe-bottone` lling vmachine rcornprising a. tank adapted. to -Shoe llenfhaviilg a forward delivery portion and Larisen' melting portion and a coverfor the latter, hinged adjacent the rear end of the' tankytocover said rear portion and provided with afdeanalogues pending forward emi tosopamite said'rear portion fromfsaid delivery moi-tion.

8. kA `:shoe bottom llli machine, comprisinga tank -adaptedtto s e iiller,fhaving a lforwaiii dliveny'fportjonxanda rearfmeltin portion anda eovetorrthef latter, hinged Va jacentlthelrearl endiofrthe tam, to .cover saidirearportionfand Vproviileii with a depending forward :fend tto eepanatersaiil :rear :portion ifrom said-l delivery i portion, said dependingforwaid endlibein curved @approximatelyon the arczoffiaieir e fromfthe pivot `point as a oenterito acilitateithefeis foroing ofsa/id end throughltheimassof lier to the bottom of the tank for i the convenient closing of lsaid :rear portionftof promote the heatingF of1-theiiller therein.

`9. Ashoe Jbottom llingmaehine, comprising -af heatingipot:` fon the shoe ller, having an opende ivory end, fa unifying and spreading toolmounted tooverlmrgieaid delivery ent-l, sadftoolr being' rigidly 'supported at one side osaidipotzfankl from one enxd only, fthereby leaving the Stool -fprojecting freely for the xconvenient handling of af shoe by the operator' with i relereneefto sai-d i tool andrpot, and fheatingfmeans within i the tool support f havin reontrol linde endent l of I.the pot, whereby 'a higherrgflla eheat ma'ysbe maintained ini the. toolf 'than in: the. ller containediin the pet.

10. A I"shoe bottomillingimachina lcomprisinga filler heater-1 for maintaining a supply ofshoe filler fnrfpmper heatedifcondition, a unifying andepxeadingftool'mountedf rtgidly at one end only -olose Ito filler heater, said' toolhaving'trees acefall mound the other end, 4and `a knifelook mounted adjacentlswdftool and; providedwith a slit inrr the massof the .Mock lffor i' receiving the 'blade/of i'flielknife.

[In testimony whereof have signed `my name to this specification, int thevpresence of twoV subscribingwtnesees.

ANDREW rrHoMA.

Witnesses s Enwaim fMaxlwmm,

Copies of this patent may be'wbtainea fui-inve vents each, ligaadtlires'stng 'the kummtssionermfihtentg Washingtonf'w. U. 

